We start 2018 with a case study that is truly the epitome of ingenuity and design! What a privilege to be involved in Gas Holders.

King’s Cross is inextricably linked to London’s industrial past. The telescopic gasholder was invented in 1824 and provided the storage needed to meet the demand of an ever-expanding city.

The interlocking gasholder triplets were built and revised between 1860 and 1880 and now, some 150 years later, they are once again responding innovatively to The Capital’s ever increasing population. Architects Wilkinson Eyre have produced a truly stunning and extraordinary development.

Luxury apartments designed by Jonathan Tuckey Design have designed internal beauty that benefit from a Regent’s canal waterside location, breath-taking communal roof gardens, and an array of amenities elegantly furnished and dressed by London interior designers No12 Studio. Amenities include spa and gym, residents lounge and a sophisticated entertainment suite including private dining and catering kitchen, a 14 person screening room, with an adjacent elegant games room, for use before or after the show.

The Gasholders lobby displays extraordinary attention to detail in its integration of the building’s industrial heritage with contemporary design and style. A 24-hour concierge team operates from a bespoke desk made in natural stone, while polished concrete floors with brass inlay, a sweeping spiral staircase and feature light sculpture introduce guests to the drama of the interior. It also houses the bespoke brass mailboxes painstakingly developed and created by our Innovation team.

Back in 2014, we were approached by Wilkinson Eyre Architects to create a curved bank of mailboxes with particular emphasis on the hinge and finish, the overall requirement for a suitably stunning yet functional solution.

Houston Cox Central were awarded The Triplets contract to design, manufacture and install all specialist joinery, which included the solid brass bespoke mailboxes that formed an integral part of the reception area. The joinery design presented its challenges, working within a cylindrical building with zero design tolerance. All the joinery interfaced (between panels, doorsets, wardrobe and vanity units) with each other to form an integral part of each living space. As on previous projects, we worked closely with Houston Cox Central over many months to ensure the clients brief was met. The bespoke designed mailboxes aligned with full height panels following the curved atrium wall within the ground floor reception area. The unique design of the brass mailbox doors with robust solid continuous brass hinges are very fitting for this iconic building. Houston Cox Central are delighted with the end result, having completed the installation late 2017.

Thoughts from the Client

Nicholas Howland – Senior Contracts Manager for Houston Cox Central, expressed the importance of choosing the right suppliers – “It is essential to work with the right people especially on a Design and Build project such as The Triplets, which pushed the boundaries for innovative design solutions. Coupled with Houston Cox Central’s expertise, we work closely with carefully chosen suppliers, such as The Safety Letterbox Company Ltd, who can rise to the challenge to deliver an excellent service within the required time frame.”

Thoughts from the Managing Director

“This project further reinforces our ability to produce a solution for any site profile and vision. It allows us to think outside the box, and continually pushes the boundary in mail delivery aesthetics. We are delighted to work with architects, designers and developers worldwide to produce fantastically impactful, functional and beautiful solutions.” Alison Orrells, Managing Director – The Safety Letterbox Company